Westfield, Mass. - The men's basketball team opened play at the Rick Martin/Hampton Inn Classic this afternoon with a 97-65 loss to the host Westfield University from the Woodward Center. 

Bradley Young led the Panthers with 16 points and added nine rebounds and three assists. Imole Akinwale (14) and Jermaine King Jr. (12) also reached double digits. Joel Ofori pulled down 16 rebounds in the loss while Yigit Balta had two blocks.

After trailing 8-0 to start the game, the Panthers clawed back to knot the score at 12 thanks to five points from Balta. The Owls had pulled in front by double digits midway through the first half and shot at over 43 percent from the field to lead 47-26. 

Despite 12 second-half points from Bradley, the Panthers were unable to overcome Westfield's strong shooting on the afternoon.

Old Westbury will take on Clark University in a consolation game of the tournament tomorrow at 12:00 p.m.